Softball reveals 2024 schedule

After a historic 2023 season, the Grand Canyon softball program begins a new chapter this February, looking to continue its forward momentum under third-year head coach Shanon Hays.

"We have easily the toughest schedule we've had since I arrived, but I feel that it suits where we are right now as a program," Hays said. "We will be hosting some powerhouse programs that will test the depth of our squad and prepare us for conference play."

The defending back-to-back WAC champions are scheduled for 32 regular-season games at GCU Softball Stadium, with 26 conference matchups and 27 strong nonconference opponents in the mix. GCU will face eight fellow 2023 NCAA tournamanent qualifiers in a schedule that includes five Pac-12 opponents.

All home games will be streamed on ESPN+. Seattle U will host the WAC Tournament on May 8-11, when the Lopes will attempt to repeat a title for a third consecutive NCAA tournament berth.

GCU makes its debut on Feb. 9 versus Wisconsin, as part of the Kajikawa Classic that runs through Feb. 11 and also features Maine, Weber State, St. Thomas and Boise State. The Lopes will also host part of the Littlewood Classic on Feb. 16-18, featuring Memphis, California, Virginia Tech, Illinois State and Cal State Fullerton.

But the home-field advantage doesn't end there, as the Lopes will play the remaining nonconference games on their turf. GCU hosts New Mexico State, Idaho State, Seton Hall, Ohio State and Texas State at the GCU/ASU Classic (Feb. 23-25), in addition to Toledo, Montana, Pacific and New Mexico at the Purple Classic (March 1-3).

The Lopes will travel to Long Beach, California, for their final nonconference competition, the LBSU/CSUF Tournament. They will face San Diego State, Princeton, Yale, North Dakota and host Long Beach State.

GCU also will welcome Oregon State (March 18), Oregon (April 10) and Arizona State (April 16), and will travel to Arizona State (March 12) and Arizona (April 30).

WAC competition will commence on the road, where the Lopes face Seattle U (March 15-16), followed by a quick home turnaround to take on Utah Valley (March 22-23) and California Baptist (March 26) before a series at Utah Tech (March 29-30 and another home stint versus UT Arlington (April 5-6).

GCU will then head to Tarleton State (April 12-13) before returning home to host Southern Utah (April 19-20) and traveling to Stephen F. Austin (April 26-27). The Lopes will finish the WAC slate with Abilene Christian at GCU Softball Stadium on May 3-4, a week ahead of the WAC Tournament in Seattle on May 8-11.

2023 GCU softball schedule

(All dates and Phoenix times are subject to change)

Kajikawa

Feb. 9 vs. Wisconsin, 4 p.m.
Feb. 9 vs. Maine, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 vs. Weber State, 4 p.m.
Feb. 10 vs. St. Thomas, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 vs. Boise State , 11:30 a.m.

Littlewood Classic

Feb. 16 Memphis, 4 p.m.
Feb. 16 vs. Cal , 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 vs. Virginia Tech, 4 p.m.
Feb. 17 vs. Illinois State, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 18 vs. Fullerton , 11:30 a.m.

GCU/ASU Classic

Feb. 23 vs. New Mexico State , 4 p.m.
Feb. 23 vs. Idaho State, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 24 vs. Seton Hall , 4 p.m.
Feb. 24 vs. Ohio State, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 vs. Texas State, 11:30 a.m.

Purple Classic

March 1 vs. Toledo, 4:30 p.m.
March 1 vs. Montana, 7 p.m.
March 2 vs. Pacific, 4:30 p.m.
March 2 vs. New Mexico, 7 p.m.
March 3 vs. Toledo, 11:30 p.m.

LBSU/CSUF Tournament

March 8 vs. San Diego State, 4:30 p.m.
March 9 vs. Princeton , 10 a.m.
March 9 at Long Beach State, 3 p.m.
March 10 vs. Yale, 10 a.m.
March 10 vs. North Dakota, 12:30 p.m.

Nonconference game

March 12 at Arizona State, 6 p.m.

WAC play

March 15 at Seattle U, 3 p.m.
March 15 at Seattle U, 5 p.m.
March 16 at Seattle U, 12 p.m.

Nonconference game

March 18 vs. Orgeon State, 3 p.m.

WAC play

March 22 vs. Utah Valley, 4:30 p.m.
March 22 vs. Utah Valley, 7 p.m.
March 23 vs. Utah Valley, 1 p.m.
March 26 vs. California Baptist, 4:30 p.m.
March 26 vs. California Baptist, 4:30 p.m.
March 29 at Utah Tech, 2 p.m.
March 29 at Utah Tech, 4 p.m.
March 30 at Utah Tech, 12 p.m.
April 5 vs. UT Arlington, 4:30 p.m.
April 5 vs. UT Arlington, 7 p.m.
April 6 vs. UT Arlington, 1 p.m.

Nonconference game

April 10 vs. Oregon, 6 p.m.

WAC play

April 12 vs. Tarleton State, 5 p.m.
April 12 vs. Tarleton State, 7:30 p.m.
April 13 vs. Tarleton State, 1 p.m.

Nonconference game

April 16 vs. Arizona State, 6 p.m.

WAC play

April 19 vs. Southern Utah, 4:30 p.m.
April 19 vs. Southern Utah, 7 p.m.
April 20 vs. Southern Utah, 1 p.m.

WAC play

April 26 at Stephen F. Austin , 4:30 p.m.
April 26 at Stephen F. Austin , 7 p.m.
April 27 at Stephen F. Austin , 1 p.m.
May 3 vs. Abilene Christian , 4:30 p.m.
May 3 vs. Abilene Christian , 7 p.m.
May 4 vs. Abilene Christian , 1 p.m.

Postseason

May 8-11, WAC Tournament at Seatte U

Grand Canyon University Athletics

2023 GCU softball schedule

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